My eyes hurt. I’m restless. I feel like a child waiting for recess at school. Wait, I am a kid, and all I do is play. (Remember!) When I first arrived at Bibo Coffee Co. this morning, I was energized, loving the morning rush of all the customers talking and getting excited about their coming work day. Now it’s almost 11am, my car is in the shop (again), hopefully soon to be repaired, and I love taking advantage of people watching while putting together a collage of some of my favorites from Deanna and Greg’s wedding in South Lake Tahoe at Edgewood on Valentine’s Day. My first time photographing at Edgewood, and wow this place is way fun to photograph at. Looking at Deanna and Greg’s images definitely gets me all choked up. (Thus the distraction of jumping back and forth between subjects, I don’t want to cry!) Their wedding was so filled with a heart wrenching emotion. I felt I couldn’t breathe (in a good way). I had tears in my eyes throughout the day and am so happy with the images I made from their wedding. Deanna says to me, ” I don’t want any “normal” photos, I like edgy, blurry, totally and completely outside-the-box photography. She had Stuart Weitzman red pumps, so I couldn’t go all blurry and black and white in her images…Actually I could still go black and white, but something about those awesome shoes cries to me “I WANT COLOR!!!!”  Chico State grads, totally original in their cocktail party in the reception, amazing. Wow, I love my clients. I am so thankful. Now I will consider having some coffee since I’ve been here for about 2.5 hours and who knows how much longer until I can walk over and pick up my car.

I met with Claire and Julius (who goes by Cliff) in November during one of my many frequent trips to San Francisco. Claire and Cliff had told me they have gone through a lot together after many many years and finally after the problems had been resolved, it was time for a celebration, of them finally being able to enjoy their lives together. I only know this all too well. I’m still growing so much mentally, as well as emotionally, sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever reach my goals. Then isn’t it the journey and not the destination? I hold so much faith in myself and feel like as long as I keep swimming (to quote Finding Nemo) I will make it. The universe definitely lets me know which path I’m to take. I have to remember to stay patient and being open to the challenges life throws my way. To celebrate Claire and Cliff, who were married in January at the Park Chalet in San Francisco, thank you so much for showing me your tenderness, clarity and love for each other.

yeah, yeah…I was telling Aimee’s bridesmaid, Stacey, today about how I came to be a photographer, and one of the perks of loving what I do so much for a living; I get to come home and am still so amped from photographing the wedding, after downloading, I check out the images, and will spend a a couple hours just looking at the photographs, and thriving on the moments I captured from the wedding. Here’s a preview of Aimee and Mike with the amazing environment of Plumpjack (whom I am so in love with right now, they so freaking rocked and were so fun to photograph) I’ll post more soon!

Last week I attended WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International) in Las Vegas. I’ve never been a huge fan of Vegas, and usually can only handle about 48 hours of the cigarette smoke and slot machines, but since my move to the Reno area, I’ve become a lot more accustomed to the environment. This year’s conference left me in a bundle of knots and strange realizations of my path in my career. From breaking down after hearing Jerry Ghionis‘ talk about shooting for the album and then showcasing his amazing work, to Sarah Petty’s Marketing workshop and Bob and Dawn Davis‘ lighting talk; from Jasmine Star’s ghetto marketing and of course, the best part - attending a Nudeoir Workshop with Carlos Baez. I’ll be expanding in addition to wedding photography, to photograph Nudes or Boudoir around and about Tahoe and the Nevada desert. (Email or call if you’re interested in exploring this adventure with me!)

After Jerry’s talk last Monday, I had a moment of complete devastation. Worrying about my career and if I’m on the right path. I dazedly walked through The Signature, purchased a $3 cup of coffee at Starbucks and continued towards the walkway back to the MGM stopping for a moment to sit and collect my thoughts (and a plan of action) before attending Sarah Petty’s Joy of Marketing Master’s Class. I glanced through the trade show floor plan looking for the camera bag companies so I could find a new camera bag following Sarah’s class. I then called my friend Brad and cried to him about my self-doubt in my career. He was great to talk to, having a friend I could call for some support. I went to Sarah Petty’s class, with massive stomach pains (too much coffee) and while taking notes, becoming completely overwhelmed on the marketing and business side of my life being self-employed. While feeling completely overwhelmed and in pain during the class, next thing I know is Sarah had placed a Shootsac in front of me. I had won the giveaway for the Jessica Claire designed camera lens bag. I was in shock, staring at this box that contained my new camera bag, it took all I had to not cry. I was and am so incredibly thankful that the universe supports me and helps guide me in my way. I’m pretty sure I’m on the right path in my life, and I am so thankful for the signs that are sent to me to help me when I’m down.

A few “safe” images from the Nudeoir Workshop of Carlos Baez.

As I attempt to grasp what I’ve learned thus far here at WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International) annual conference in Las Vegas, I am overwhelmed with ideas and dreams and Oh-I-don’t-even-know-how-to-describe-it type sensations. I’ve never been a big fan of Vegas, and I’m slowly getting used to the mirror on the ceiling over my bed, but hey, I’m totally trying to live it up vintage Las Vegas style. I have so much to learn and do and accomplish in my career, I feel like I’ve barely begun on my path. I have so many dreams. I found out the other day about the Palm Springs Photo Festival last week, and I can’t even begin to tell you how I would love to attend Keith Carter’s workshop. I can’t afford it; I can afford the time and travel, but not the workshop. Oh how I would love attending his workshop. I always know in my heart, if I’m meant to make it happen, I will; I will find a way to attend. Same here with WPPI. I love the commraderie and meeting new people, whether thus far the brief moment of meeting Elizabeth Messina at the workshop line, or hearing my friends talk about seeing the Boutwells and John Michael Cooper at the West Wing Bar tonight, I’m in love with being inspired with so much I can’t even begin. I am so thankful I am here (wondering about this mirror above my bed, or the jacuzzi five steps from my bed) and all that I am thankful and willing to learn and appreciate my time while here.

Last week I went with my bright and shiny happy smiley face to Sierraville, because I wanted to take some photos (and attempt to begin the education of Sean with photography so he can eventually become my permanent 2nd shooter), here’s a frame I have as my desktop, and I’m digging it so much I wanted to share. (Never thought you’d see me do landscapes or buildings huh?) I love the detail along with the mystery and feel of this frame. But that’s all me. I hope you enjoy. Thank you so much for reading my continual evolution!

Just a quick post to announce Ginger and Luigi who are getting married in October in San Francisco and Napa are my winners for my first ever Wedding Photography Giveaway! Very special thank you to all who’ve entered! More to come soon!

I set up my desk in front of the window in my bedroom, and as I watch the snow come down covering my backyard in white, my bright and shiny happy smiley face rests from a nasty cold, that I somehow don’t have worse than him. (Must be all the stuff I take for my immune system). I’m dying to get out in the backyard and make some photos of Sean, but I have to wait until he feels better. Thus nothing like being snowed in to get blogging on Laniee and Roger whom I photographed in January in San Jose at David’s Restaurant. Laniee was so sweet, very watchful of me, which I always find interesting of most brides I photograph. She was very curious to see how I would react to Roger’s massive family, (where when formal type photos always become interesting due to all the possible combinations). I let Roger’s father tell me and direct which photos he wanted of the family. Always completely happy to oblige. But it was funny, Laniee watching me and me catching her watching me, and me smiling my little knowing smile of I’m-here-to-make-everyone-happy-so-I-ain’t-stressing-out-about-all-the-portraits.  Laniee and Roger are so funny; they love being silly with each other; making blowfish faces and cracking each other up. Me and Sean do that sometimes, but we more make each other laugh with zerberts and overly being silly aggressive with each other. I do treasure the time I have with Sean in the winters, as summertime will come and he’ll go away back to San Diego and I won’t see him again until October. *sorry* got distracted there. I had so much fun at Laniee and Roger’s wedding, the silliness, the communication between Laniee and I without speaking a word to each other, and her knowing I understood, with the expression of “Don’t worry about it, just roll with it and have fun”. It was awesome. Congratulations on Laniee and Roger and to your new one coming up here very soon! Thank you so much for allowing me into your lives for your wedding! Thank you so much!

About a month ago, I took a few days to visit my friend, Sean, up in Grass Valley. I have always called him my bright and shiny happy smiley face, because I feel bright and shiny and happy and smiley whenever I’m around him. He’s such a great comfort to me, a great positive influence on my health. (I’ll call him up while having a glass of wine and ask what he’s doing and he’ll tell me - munching on greens and here I am with the glass of wine with the greens beginning to go bad in my fridge) He helps me to be a better person. And I greatly appreciate him for that. He is living on this amazing property where the owner practices Feldenkrais, which Sean periodically goes back to San Diego for his training. One of these days I’m gonna teach Sean to be my second photographer, so he can come photograph with me at my amazing couple’s weddings, and he’ll get paid so he can continue his Feldenkrais training. (Now if I could just talk him into transferring to Berkeley, so he wouldn’t be so far away!) So during my stay, we did some stick pickin’ for his landlord, and Sean got poison oak. He gets like just by looking at it. I’ve never been around poison oak, so thankfully I remain unscathed, but Sean is still suffering from it. It’s been a month. A few photos I made while playing with a CPS borrowed 45mm tilt shift lens. Happy Sean and the gorgeous property he lives on.

Hi all! Today’s the last day to enter the 2010 Wedding Photography Giveaway. The contest ends tonight at 11:59pm. See this post for all the details!

Hot damn! My favorite saying at any wedding. And soft porn. Most of my couples are so freaking amazing; when they are so comfortable with each other and me..they provide me with soft porn. Seriously, the couples I am so blessed to photograph have that so intense connection, they are oblivious to me and my camera. Which totally makes for the best in-the-moment photographs. *ahhhh* Jane and Logan from today at Edgewood. You have no idea how lucky I feel to follow these two and their friends and family on their so incredibly amazing wedding day. More to come so0n!!! (Wow, I’m in such ecstasy right now all I need is my bright and happy smiley face that lives in Grass Valley!)